Taimerica-Strategic Biomass Solutions Alternative Energy News

Fisker Automotive: Controversy Heats Up in Electric Car Market

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:01:58 GMT

Fisker Automotive, headquartered in Irvine, CA, is a privately-held startup manufacturer of "The World’s First Luxury Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle." The $87,900 Karma, which when fully-charged is all-electric for the first 50 miles, then operates as a hybrid, is expected achieve 100 mpg when it hits the market in 2012. The company was formed in 2007 as a joint venture between Fisker Coachbuild, LLC and Quantum Technologies. The company, as reported above, is planning to acquire a former GM facility in Delaware and was awarded a $528M loan guarantee from DOE. This loan has stirred up controversy because the Karma will be assembled in Finland from 65% US parts. The DOE funds will be spent in the US to develop their next product, the $47,900 Nina, a more family-friendly vehicle. Production of the Nina is intended for the former GM facility being acquired.

Mississippi the Buzz at Biomass Summit

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:00:43 GMT

At the Biomass Summit this week in Washington, people were talking about Mississippi, said Sumesh Arora, director of Strategic Biomass Solutions (SBS) for the Mississippi Technology Alliance. Companies excited about developing in Mississippi were wood pellet manufacturers, cellulosic ethanol companies and those interested in using poultry waste for alternative energy source projects. About 175 people in private sector upper-level management positions and investors attended the summit.

1000+ Solar Installers Now Certified

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:59:49 GMT

The North America Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) announced that more than 1,000 individuals have been awarded the NABCEP Installer Certification as a result of the most recent exam administered. The total number of certified solar installers increased by 38% during 2009.

DOE Funding Available for Carbon Capture Technologies

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:58:59 GMT

DOE is making available $55M to develop advanced carbon capture technologies (post-combustion) to use in retrofitting existing coal-burning power plants so that the greenhouse gas may be sequestered or reused. The funding opportunity is seeking applications in four technical areas: membranes, solvents, solid sorbents and condensed-phase capture.

Solar Energy Advocates Support Offshore Drilling

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:58:13 GMT

The Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, an association that represents manufacturers, distributors, contractors and retailers of solar powered products, recently announced its support for drilling for oil and natural gas that has been proposed for offshore Florida.

Utilities Committed to Overcoming Challenges Faced by Electric Cars

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:57:08 GMT

Utility executives at the recent Business of Plugging In conference cited vehicle cost and grid limitations as key challenges faced by companies bringing electric cars to widespread use, and stated their commitment to helping overcome them.

Shale Gas: Site Selection Game-changer

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:56:14 GMT

(previously published in The Site Selection Energy Report)
In 2008, the Potential Gas Committee (PGC), a group of industry experts affiliated with the Colorado School of Mines, focused on shale gas resources as part of its biennial estimate of U.S. reserves. The PGC increased their previous reserve estimate from 2006 by a staggering 39 percent, the highest upward revision ever. Approximately two-thirds of the increase results from higher estimates of recoverable natural gas in shale formations. Although not every play will be commercial and contribute to those reserve estimates, here’s what we know: Shale Gas has a unique set of characteristics - an energy "perfect storm" - that will redefine the competitive landscape of states and communities.

A123Systems, Inc. IPO: Sign of Recovery for IPOs in General

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:49:20 GMT

A123Systems, headquartered in Watertown, MA, is a manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries, using a process based on their patented Nanophosphate (TM) technology. The company was formed in 2001 and currently has a workforce of approximately 1,100 employees located in Massachussetts, Michigan, and Asia. The company went public with an IPO on September 24, and the market responded enthusiastically. Even after underwriters raised the intial price from $8 to $13.50, demand was so strong that they also increased the number of shares offered by 50%, making the deal worth $380M. The share price at the end of the first day of trading was $20.29, up more than 50%. This offering was one of a handful of deals in late September to which the market responded enthusiastically, marking the end of a period of low demand for IPOs that followed the financial crisis last year.

The company recently announced plans to build a lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant in MI and has also received $69M in capital from GE and other investors, as reported last May.

Solar Power International 2009 More than Doubles 2008 Conference Exhibition Space

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:48:12 GMT

Solar Power International 2009 is the largest B2B solar trade event in North America, and will take place in Anaheim, CA on Oct. 27-29, 2009. The conference exhibition space of more than 200,000 sq. ft. is sold out, with 900+ exhibitors from every part of the solar value chain. The conference, put on by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), will more than double the 2008 conference exhibition space of 88,000 sq. ft.

MTA SBS Supports the 4th Annual Cellulosic Biofuels Summit to be Held Nov. 16-19

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:47:38 GMT

MTA Strategic Biomass Solutions will be serving as a supporting organization for the 4th Annual Cellulosic Biofuels Summit to be held in Washington DC from November 16-19, 2009. The Summit has established itself as the major gathering place where all the communities in the cellulosic biofuels value chain assemble each year to help advance the development of the nation’s cellulosic biofuels industry. In November, leaders from the feedstock, industrial biotech, biofuel technology, plant developer, finance, oil and transportation communities will return to Washington, D.C. to report on their activities, consider the next steps forward and share their perspectives on the progress in reaching the commercial production of cellulosic biofuels. The Summit provides a rich opportunity for offline discussions where everyone has the chance to meet other groups in the value chain and establish ongoing relationships. Themes that will be highlighted in this year’s edition include the increasing involvement of the oil industry in cellulosic biofuels development and the progress of plant developers to get an assortment of biorefineries built and operating in order to provide the feedback needed to move to large-scale production.

Gov. Creates Iowa Green Jobs Task Force

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:46:50 GMT

Iowa Gov. Culver, through Executive Order, created the Iowa Green Jobs Task Force to coordinate efforts in Iowa to create green jobs. "In recent years, thanks to our efforts in biofuels and wind energy, we have created thousands of green-collar jobs for Iowans," said Governor Culver. "However, if we are to expand these industries, we must also have the workforce necessary to fill those positions. That is why I am creating the Green Jobs Task Force, which will help coordinate our state’s efforts in creating and filling the green-collar jobs of the future." The fifteen-member Task Force is also charged with coordinating efforts to secure Federal grant funding.

$1B of New Khosla VC Available

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:46:13 GMT

Khosla Ventures, Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm, has included external investors for the first time in two funds aimed at alternative energy.

Solyndra’s $535M Loan Guarantee from DOE Final

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:45:33 GMT

Solyndra, a manufacturer of cylindrical PV solar panels, has just received the first loan guarantee from DOE in the amount of $535M, as part of the ARRA. The funding will be part of a funding package for its first manufacturing facility, which is expected to create as many as 3,000 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs.

Carlos Ghosn Gambles on Electric Vehicles

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:44:51 GMT

Carlos Ghosn, CEO of both Renault and Nissan, having turned both companies around, is now gambling their future on the viability of electric vehicles. Electric Nissans are expected to be available late next year, and electric Renaults the year after. Under a different cost structure than that employed by Toyota and others, he plans to reduce the cost of Li-ion batteries by leasing them.

Electronic Vehicle Co. Leaves Idaho to Build Plant, Relocate HQ in KY

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:44:18 GMT

Global Green Cars plans to build 30,000 electric cars and trucks per year at its new plant near Williamsburg, KY. An incentive package worth more than $15 million from Kentucky’s Economic Development Finance Authority and proximity to other automakers were cited as significant factors in the move from Idaho.

General Electric: Manufacturer who Began 130+ Years Ago with Edison’s Light Bulbs is Pioneer in Multiple AE Technologies

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:08:26 GMT

General Electric (NYSE: GE, motto "Imagination at Work") is a traditional manufacturer of electrical equipment headquartered in Fairfield, CT. It employs 323,000 individuals worldwide and its annual sales, more than $180B, have increased by 5.81% over the last year.

4th Annual Southeast Bioenergy Conference

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:07:06 GMT

No one source of renewable energy -- biofuels, solar,or wind-is enough to break our reliance on fossil fuels. The 2009 Southeast Bioenergy Conference being held August 11-13, 2009 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, GA will focus on how each of these renewable energy technologies can work together to make change.

MO Workshop is Part of Effort to Replace Lost Mfg. Jobs with Green Jobs

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:06:12 GMT

Missouri is pitching itself to become a leader in the wind industry due to its proximity to the country’s wind corridor (which is what also make states like Nebraska and South Dakota good candidates for wind energy). The state is turning to alternative energy to replace jobs lost due to economic turmoil that includes an auto industry near collapse. The Wind Energy Supply Chain Workshop series put on by the Missouri Partnership is part of the effort.

OriginOil Processes Algal Biofuels More Efficiently

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:05:25 GMT

OriginOil, an algae biofuel company based in Los Angeles, has developed a simpler and more efficient way to extract oil from algae. The process combines ultrasound and an electromagnetic pulse to break the algal cell walls. Then the algae solution is force-fed carbon dioxide, which lowers its pH, separating the biomass from the oil.

"It’s low energy, there’s not a lot of machinery, and it’s a simple process," says CEO Riggs Eckelberry. The algae and oil can be separated in a matter of minutes, he adds.

A number of companies are attempting to take advantage of the fact that algae naturally produce oil. But growing algae and extracting its oil efficiently is difficult, time consuming, and expensive. While some companies are focusing on better growing and harvesting methods, others, such as OriginOil, are focused on finding new ways to access the oil.

Corn Farmers and Biofuel Supporters Unhappy with EPA Proposed Emissions Calculations

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:04:40 GMT

Corn farmers and pro-biofuel groups are asking their supporters to contact the Environmental Protection Agency about the most recent efforts to consider South American farming in rating the carbon footprint of U.S.-produced corn ethanol and soy diesel.

Ethanol supporters are crying foul to the EPA’s proposed revisions to the nation’s Renewable Fuels Standard that will change how the greenhouse gas emissions from all biofuels are calculated. The new EPA formula will theoretically add any effect of farmland growth in Brazil to the carbon footprint of corn ethanol production in states such as South Dakota.

Duke Implementing Distributed Solar Generation

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:03:40 GMT

Duke Energy will build between 100 and 400 solar photovoltaic systems throughout North Carolina over the next two years in one of the first large-scale initiatives of its kind in the U.S., CEO Jim Rogers said last week.

GE to Manufacture Sodium Batteries in NY

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:02:28 GMT

In a continuation of a series of project announcements reported last month on battery facilities, GE will invest $100M near its HQ in NY to manufacture sodium-based batteries.

A123 Systems Inc.: Lithium-ion Battery Manufacturer has Good News After Being Dropped as GM Supplier

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 12:01:12 GMT

A123Systems, headquartered in Watertown, MA, is a privately-held manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries, using a process based on their patented Nanophosphate (TM) technology.

8th Annual Southern Bioproducts and Renewable Energy Conference Coming Up

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 12:00:21 GMT

Advocates for biomass utilization and renewable energy development from across the state and region will gather in Jackson, Mississippi on May 20-21, 2009, to learn, plan and network. The theme of the conference "Stimulating Mississippi’s Economy Through Renewable Energy", will be the rallying cry for researchers, project developers, and policy makers who will explore the critical pathway the State and Southern Region must take to advance a new energy future that is cleaner, vibrant and more secure.

Delta College in MI Offering 2-year Wind Degree

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:59:46 GMT

Delta College in Saginaw, MI is the latest to recognize the potential of careers in Alternative Energy with the appearance of wind farms across the state. Their board of trustees recently approved a 2-year applied science degree program in wind energy.

Who Knew that MS was THE Place for Biomass?

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:59:16 GMT

Forbes Manazine knew. Forbes.com places Mississippi at number four (4) in the Nation for woody biomass on their list of America’s Best Places for Alternative Energy.

EPA Declares CO2 to be a Public Threat; Cap and Trade Bill Introduced in the U.S. House

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:58:46 GMT

The EPA ruled last month that CO2 (carbon dioxide) is a pollutant and a "threat to public health and welfare." This was widely interpreted as the first step toward carbon caps, legislation for which was introduced in the U.S. House.

Wind Industry Installed 2,800 MW in 1Q 2009

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:58:03 GMT

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) announced that 2,800 MW of new capacity were installed in 15 states, increasing the total to 28,206 MW nationwide. Nine states now have more than a gigawatt (1,000 MW) of capacity, and Indiana is the fastest-growing with a 75% increase over 1Q 2008.

$1.7B Investment in MI as Lithium-ion Battery Projects Take Center Stage

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:57:31 GMT

Four battery companies recently announced plans to take advantage of Michigan’s recently-announced expansion of incentives intended to enourage battery companies. The four projects combined will require $1.7B in capital investment and create 6,600 direct and indirect jobs.

Peabody Energy: Largest Coal Company in the World Defies Industry Trends with Long-term Contracts on New Mine

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:56:45 GMT

Peabody Energy Corp. (NYSE: BTU), based in St. Louis, is the largest private-sector coal producer worldwide with approximately 7,200 employees and 2008 revenue of nearly $6.6B.

Bee Delivers Keynote Address at MO Jobs Summit

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:55:53 GMT

Ed Bee, President of Taimerica, delivered the keynote address at last week’s Jobs Summit put on by the St. Charles County Economic Development Center in St. Peters, Missouri.

Univ. of Illinois Offering Bioenergy Masters

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:55:22 GMT

The Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER) at the Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has begun enrollment in a new Masters program in Bioenergy, focusing on biodiesel and ethanol.

High-Voltage Power Lines Would No Longer Need State Approval Under Proposed Senate Legislation

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:54:47 GMT

Draft legislation released by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the authority to approve high-voltage power lines, eliminating potential obstacles and streamlining the approval process for multi-state projects.

Renewable Energy Efforts take hold in MS

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:54:10 GMT

Mississippi has dozens of renewable energy projects, but like much of the Southeast, it has fallen behind in the development of wind-generated power.

U.S. Installed Solar Capacity Increased by 17% in 2008

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:53:30 GMT

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) reports that total installed capacity in the U.S. increased by 17% to nearly 9,000 MW, the third straight year of record growth.

1,000-ac Green Industrial Park Planned in AZ

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:53:00 GMT

GWS Technologies, Inc. and Sustainable Eco-Green Development Company, Inc. (SEDCO) have agreed to a joint venture to develop a green industrial park on approximately 1,000 acres adjacent to the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Tenants are expected to be from the renewable energy sector, and the park will also be powered by renewable sources (primarily solar). Initial investment in solar equipment is expected to exceed $4M.

Vestas Wind Systems A/S: Danish Turbine Manufacturer Inspires Debate on Incentives

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:49:48 GMT

Vestas Wind Systems A/S (VWS) is based in Denmark and is a leading producer of high technological wind power solutions, with approximately 20,000 employees worldwide.

Arora to Address Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America, Las Vegas, March 10-12, 2009

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:49:04 GMT

Sumesh Arora, director of the MTA Strategic Biomass Initiative, will be moderating two sessions at the upcoming Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America in Las Vegas, Nev., March 10-12. In addition to these sessions he will moderate a table at the networking breakfast which is a side event at this conference. This is Arora’s second year serving on the planning committee for the conference which draws attendees from around the globe.

Wind Industry Hiring Despite Rising Unemployment

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:48:18 GMT

Turbine manufacturer Vestas has announced plans to increase production and hire 3,000 workers in the U.S. alone.

Biomass Project Development Tutorial Provides Technical Assistance on Alternative Energy Issues in the Stimulus Package

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:47:36 GMT

Mississippi Technolgy Alliance - Strategic Biomass Initiative is one of two supporting organizations, along with the United States Department of Agriculture, for the upcoming Biomass Project Development Tutorial to be held at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia.

Purdue Univ. Researcher Produces More Ethanol from Cellulose at a Lower Cost

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:46:58 GMT

A researcher at Purdue University has discovered that, if corn products are shredded instead of chopped, better access is obtained to the cellulose needed to produce ethanol. This new process requires approximately 40 percent less energy to gain access to more of the material stored in the plant.

Westar Issues RFP for 500 MW from Renewable Energy Sources

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:46:21 GMT

Westar Energy of Kansas has issued an RFP to purchase up to 500MW of energy from renewable sources. Proposals are due March 30, and they estimate that as much as 200 MW electricity will be online as early as late 2010.

ITC Proposes $10-12B "Green Power Express"

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:45:38 GMT

ITC is seeking approval from FERC to construct up to $12B in wind infrastructure to run from the Dakotas and Minnesota to population centers in the midwest, including Chicago among others. The project, named "Green Power Express," includes 3,000 of extra-high-voltage transmission lines and an international array of partnerships.

Verenium Corp.: Biofuels Company Defies Market with Stock up for 2009 YTD

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:41:50 GMT

Verenium Corp. (VRNM) has two key businesses: the development of a group of enzymes and processes to break down cellulose for industrial use, including the production of ethanol, and the biofuels production itself.

Biomass Finance and Investment Summit

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:40:54 GMT

The second annual summit organized by Infocast was a very well attended event, with almost 200 attendees and over 50 panelists and speakers. Mississippi Technology Alliance - Strategic Biomass Initiative was a supporting organization for this conference. A wide range of technologies and financing options were presented. The general sentiment among financiers present was the lack of free-flowing capital even in the clean-tech space. Some deals are getting done, but the investors are being very choosy and there is very little appetite to take any technology risk. The silver lining is the availability of specific credits in 2009 and 2010 timeframe, which make the "shovel ready" projects very attractive. Additionally, Production Tax Credits (PTC), which provide a credit of between one and two cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity production, are being considered by the U.S. Congress for extension up to 2013. In the past, Congress has only extended these credits on year-by-year basis creating a stop-and-go environment for many renewable energy projects.

Fast Company Cites Ten Best Green Jobs

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:40:13 GMT

We’ve reported about the impending shortage in the nuclear power occupations, and the maintenance workers for wind turbines are already in big demand. But what else is out there?

Eleven States Agree to Develop Low Carbon Standard

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:39:37 GMT

States from Maryland north to New England have agreed to set a comprehensive, regional low-carbon-emissions standard for transportation and other fuels.

Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Begins Operations

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:39:05 GMT

Verenium, the second generation biofuels company, has started production at their plant in Jennings, Louisiana. The plant will produce 1.4 million gallons/year of ethanol from such feedstocks as wood chips, grass straw, and trash.

SWEPCO Executes Long-term Contract to Purchase Wind Power

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:38:31 GMT

The Southwest Electric Power Co. recently signed a contract with Majestic Wind Power LLC to purchase all of the power and tax benefits generated over the next 20 years by the 79.5 MW Majestic Wind Farm in Carson County, Texas.

Mississippi Power Seeking Approval for $2.2B Coal Gasification Plant

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:38:00 GMT

Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of the Southern Company, has applied for approval from the Mississippi Public Service Commission to build a 582 MW power plant that would employ IGCC technology with carbon capture and sequestration. The project, if implemented, would create 260 permanent jobs and an additional 1,000 construction jobs.

GT Solar: One of Only Five IPOs in the Third Qtr. of 2008

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:37:20 GMT

GT Solar International, Inc. (SOLR) manufactures equipment used in the production of silicon, silicon wafers, and solar cells. It also provides manufacturing solutions for product integration in the production process, and for process design.

Nuclear Industry Recruiting Workforce

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:36:28 GMT

Because of an upcoming building boom in nuclear power plants - 20 applications received by the NRC, with more expected - demand for workers at all skill levels is growing. Combine this with an aging workforce in the industry, and the potential for an acute labor shortage is real.

Obama Administration Expected to Emphasize Alternative Energy

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:35:59 GMT

President-elect Obama has announced his intention to set a national renewable portfolio standard, requiring that ten percent of energy be obtained from renewable sources by 2012.

Students Achieve Award-winning Breakthrough

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:35:20 GMT

Biological engineering students at Mississippi State have identified and isolated an enzyme to facilitate the chemical breakdown of biomass, the critical technological step in developing bioenergy. They were honored for their accomplishment at the iGEM competition at MIT.

TVA Issues RFP For Renewable Energy

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:34:10 GMT

Tennessee Valley Authority issued an RFP recently for proposals to supply from 1 to 1,000 megawatts of power or capacity from clean or renewable energy sources by June, 2011. TVA has adopted a policy emphasizing renewable sources, and forecast that half their energy production will come from low-carbon sources by 2020.

AEP and Hartland Wind Farm Evaluating $5-10B in Wind Infrastructure

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:33:09 GMT

American Electric Power (AEP) and Hartland Wind Farm are evaluating the feasibility of a 765-kV extra-high-voltage transmission line that would extend from the 2,000 MW Hartland Wind Farm in North Dakota (and others in the area) to Chicago. The project, if implemented, would be done in phases over ten years.